The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has settled a lawsuit against the National Raisin Co., alleging a sexually hostile work environment for female employees at its Fowler, California, production facility. The settlement was reached in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California after attempts at pre-litigation settlement failed.
The harassment reported by the EEOC encompassed both physical and verbal forms, including unwanted groping, requests for sexual favors, and threats of retaliation for non-compliance with the harassment. Furthermore, the EEOC charged that National Raisin failed to take appropriate action after receiving complaints.
Highlighting the vulnerability of farmworker women, particularly those with limited English proficiency, EEOC Chair Charlotte A. Burrows emphasized the agency’s commitment to protecting such workers. This objective is outlined in the EEOC’s most recent Strategic Enforcement Plan, released in September.
In FY2023, the EEOC recovered $665 million for over 22,000 workers and filed 50% more lawsuits compared to the previous year. The Strategic Enforcement Plan expanded the definition of vulnerable workers to include various demographics, including those with limited English proficiency.
Burrows emphasized the agency’s dedication to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all workers, regardless of language proficiency, and pledged continued litigation to address workplace harassment.
As part of the settlement, National Raisin agreed to pay $2 million and implement changes in workplace practices to prevent further sexual harassment. These measures include hiring a third-party monitor, providing extensive training, and establishing robust reporting mechanisms.
The lawsuit against Select Staffing, the employment agency partnering with National Raisin, remains ongoing.
